SC directs Centre, state govts to strictly enforce provisions of law to protect SC/ST tribes

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre and state governments to strictly enforce provisions of the law while asking other competent authorities to discharge their duties to protect the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to attain the constitutional goal of equality for all citizens.

The apex court delivered the judgement after holding that there has been a failure on the part of authorities concerned in complying with the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Rules due to which the “laudable object” of it is defeated by their “indifferent attitude”.

“The constitutional goal of equality for all the citizens of this country can be achieved only when the rights of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are protected. The abundant material on record proves that the authorities concerned are guilty of not enforcing the provisions of the Act. The travails of the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes continue unabated,” a bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur said.

“We are satisfied that the central government and state governments should be directed to strictly enforce the provisions of the Act and we do so,” the bench, also comprising justices D Y Chandrachud and L Nageswara Rao, said.